Wearables were a huge hit in 2018, both life-saving wearables and those for entertainment, but one that sticks out for 2018 was a highly accurate, stroke-detecting visor.
Cerebrotech Medical Systems developed the Cerebrotech Visor, a non-invasive wireless device that tells doctors or paramedics if a patient is suspected of having a stroke with 92 percent accuracy. The device provides a diagnosis within seconds.
The rapid diagnosis and treatment of a stroke can be critical for a patient. This wearable can provide assistance to a paramedic by accurately indicating if a stroke is occurring and allow the paramedic to make a speedy decision on where to take the patient.
“Transfer between hospitals takes a lot of time,” said Raymond D. Turner, M.D., professor of neurosurgery and chief of the Neuroscience Integrated Center of Clinical Excellence at MUSC, according to Medical Xpress. “If we can give the information to emergency personnel out in the field that this is a large-vessel occlusion, that should change their thought process in triage as to which hospital they go to.”
The device works by sending low-energy radio waves through the brain and detects their condition as they pass from left to right lobes. When they pass through fluid in the brain, the frequency waves change. This is where a severe stroke can cause changes in the fluid, and the visor detects asymmetry in the waves. This specific technique is known as volumetric impedance phase shift spectroscopy (VIPS), and could allow for earlier intervention and prevent further brain damage, according to Medgadget.
Researchers compared the results from the VIPS technology and a standard physical examination that is performed by emergency personnel during a potential stroke. They found the device was 92 percent accurate, an improvement on standard physical examinations that were only correct 40 to 89 percent of the time.
The developers hope to integrate machine learning algorithms into the device so the visor can distinguish between minor and severe stroke, without needing the input of a neurologist.
“This could potentially be something like a defibrillator,” said Turner. “You can find out if a patient is having a stroke, just like you can put a defibrillator on a patient to see if they’re having a heart attack.”
